Ravitch, Paterson Seal the Deal Over Steak

Friday, Jul 10, 2009  |  Updated 6:51 PM EST
View Comments ()
|
Email
|
Print
 Ravitch, Paterson Seal the Deal Over Steak

Gov. David Paterson's appointment of Ravitch as lt. governor was the latest chapter in a long career that includes stints as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and chief labor negotiator for Major League Baseball.

advertisement

Richard Ravitch took the oath of office at a steakhouse to become New York's lieutenant governor.
       
Before Ravitch could even assume the office, his appointment broke a monthlong stalemate at the state Senate when a dissident Democrat came back to his party.

Ravitch took the oath at Peter Luger in Williamsburg -- a rush job to prevent Republicans from obtaining a court order blocking him from being sworn-in. Then, according to the restaurant's manager, the happy party ordered Porterhouse steaks.

On Wednesday night, Ravitch spoke to a New York Times reporter shortly before his swearing in, the paper said.

“I just hope to help the state through a period of fiscal pressures and economic downturns, just as I have several times in the past,” he said then.
       
Gov. David Paterson appointed Ravitch lieutenant governor to provide a tie-breaking vote in the state Senate.
       
For Ravitch it was the latest chapter in a long career that includes stints as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and chief labor negotiator for Major League Baseball.

A Friday hearing on the constitutionality of the appointment was adjourned until July 15 after petitioners seeking to block Paterson's decision asked for more time.

Photos and Videos

Paterson Names Ravitch Lt. Gov

More Photos and Videos

On Thursday, an appellate judge overruled a decision barring Richard Ravitch from taking over as lieutenant governor. Republicans wanted the order to prevent the Democratic governor from having Ravitch provide a tie-breaking vote in the deadlocked chamber.

Thursday's ruling by state Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonard Austin in Nassau County overturns a restraining order that
Republicans had obtained earlier Thursday.

Paterson said he's taking the dispute to a state appeals court in Albany. n the meantime, he said he will not
"try to flaunt" the appointment while the legal process is underway.

 A  former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority respected by Democrats and Republicans, Ravitch said he was sworn in at 8 p.m. Wednesday, hours after Paterson made the surprise appointment long thought to be constitutionally prohibited.

Ravitch said today that he will be "addressing serious problems that the state faces and I am not now and I will never be a candidate for elected office."
 

Posted Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 5:21 PM EST
Leave Comments
Follow Us
Sign up to receive news and updates that matter to you.
Send Us Your Story Tips
Check Out